The Eyes of Paint Branch - Spring 2003
Newsletter
Volume: 9 Issue: 1
Balanced Land Use Should be
Included as Alternative ICC Study
By Pamela Lindstrom
As the newly restarted study of the ICC proceeds, a critical issue in the environmental impact statement (EIS) will be the alternatives to be studied. Not that we prefer one road alignment over another. The real alternative to the ICC is a whole different approach. Instead of trying to build enough roads to handle the traffic, this approach, known as the Balanced Land Use scenario (BLU), would direct growth into compact, balanced mixed-use communities in a pattern closely oriented to the transit system.
This approach was thoroughly tested as part of MNCPPC’s Transportation Policy Report of January 2002. A subset of the task force responsible for the report developed the scenario, using three principles:
- balancing jobs and housing in closer proximity, instead of exaggerating the employment character of the I 270 Corridor and the housing character of the eastern part of the county;
- reducing the considerable housing growth of the Agriculture Reserve and exurbs;
- placing a higher share of growth, especially housing growth, near the transit stations.
We also designed an enlarged transit system, which includes the Inner Purple Line, transit further along the I 270 Corridor, and a transit spur up New Hampshire Avenue to White Oak.
BLU was modeled, and compared to several road-emphasizing scenarios. It had far less environmental impact. It did better than the road scenario on some congestion criteria (miles driven on congested roads, time taken by the average commute) and worse on others (vehicle speed). It was, overall, a fully credible alternative to the ICC. Though the BLU land use is quite dense at transit station areas, it was well received in the public workshops and hearings.
The land use principles in BLU were adopted by the Planning Board and the County Council. Planners are trying hard to implement them in several master plans for Red Line station areas, most hotly at Shady Grove. We have two immediate challenges before us. The first is to persuade the State Highway Administration to analyze a BLU scenario in the ICC study. The second is to secure a commitment by the state to fight for the Inner Purple Line.
Pamela Lindstrom, a resident of Shady Grove, is a longtime land use activist and was a member of the Transportation Policy Task Force.